Good Books to Read During Spring Break

As Spring break approaches Stratford students will have some spare time for leisure reading, your Library Services team would like to point out some exciting new fiction offerings for each grade level.

Kindergarten: Grand Canyon by Jason Chin - A beautiful watercolor picture book about an Asian-American father and daughter exploring this national park, from the Inner Gorge to the South Rim.

First Grade: A Different Pond by Bao Phi - 2018 Caldecott Honor Award - This tale about a father/son fishing trip shows the interconnectedness of family and the inexorable way that generational history impacts the present.

Second Grade: Manjhi Moves A Mountain by Nanncy Churnin - A wonderfully illustrated picture book is based on a well-known Indian story. This book gives children valuable insight into another culture in a manner that promotes tolerance.

Third Grade: La Princessa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya - Great for Stratford students because Spanish words are sprinkled throughout with a glossary. The traditional Hans Christian Andersen tale gets a makeover in this 2017 version with a twist.

Fourth Grade: Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly - This book won the 2018 Newberry Award and it is well deserved. Students will love this book, it has something for nearly everyone-humor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational relationships, and a smartly fateful ending.

Fifth Grade:Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi - The first in a series of new books that are endorsed with the new Rick Riordan imprint. Students will be delighted by this adventurous dive into Hindu mythology and the chance to cheer along a heroic female young protagonist.

Middle School: All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamiesen - This graphic novel has each chapter starting with third-person narration, presented within decorative borders featuring shields, dragons, and other illuminations; it’s as if the story is a Renaissance tale itself--an experience complete with tension, laughter, anticipation, heartbreak, and fun.

These suggestions are just ideas and places to start. Check out your local public library or your home-town independent bookstore. Spend time there as a family and let your children open books, sit with them and find a book (or three) that they just can't leave without.